Colts begin support campaign for Pagano

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - While the NFL puts the spotlight on breast cancer awareness this month, the Indianapolis Colts will be paying even more attention to leukemia as their head coach battles it .

The Colts on Thursday announced an entire campaign to support head coach Chuck Pagano. It’s been named after the now-popular Twitter hashtag ChuckStrong.

Starting at 4 p.m. Friday, fans can buy a special ChuckStrong T-shirt at Colts Pro Shop locations. The shirt will have an orange ribbon and ChuckStrong on it. Each shirt costs $20 and benefits leukemia research at the IU Simon Cancer Center.

OFFER SUPPORT | Leave a special message for Pagano

Posters showing support for the coach will also be available beginning at noon on Tuesday. They will be at Central Indiana Huntington Bank branches and at Colts Blue Friday events.

Later in the month, the team will distribute ChuckStrong wristbands. The Colts will hand them out on Oct. 19 at the Colts Blue Friday event at Meijer, 8375 E. 96th St. They will also be given out at the Oct. 21 Colts game. The team asks fans to donate $1 per wristband to support leukemia research at IU Simon Cancer Center.

The Colts and Indiana Blood Center are urging fans to donate blood at Indiana Blood Center locations from Oct. 9-13. Leukemia patients like Pagano require multiple blood transfusions during treatment. People who donate can get an “In Honor of Coach Pagano” sticker. They’ll also be given a card if they want to send a message to Pagano.